He smiled. "Indeed." Muub glanced at the guards, and then turned to Toba Mixxax. "Citizen, what is happening here? I don't welcome disturbances in my Hospital; we have enough to cope with without that."

Toba bowed; he seemed to be trembling. His hands moved across the front of his body, as if he were suddenly embarrassed by his underwear. "Yes. I'm sorry, sir. I am Toba Mixxax; I run a ceiling-farm about thirty meters upflux, and I..."

"Get on with it," Muub said mildly.

"I found an injured upfluxer... an injured man. I brought him back. He's in the car."

Muub frowned. Then he slid across to the car and pulled his head and shoulders through the doorway. Dura could see the Administrator efficiently inspecting Adda. He seemed fascinated by the spears and nets of the Human Beings, the artifacts which had been used to improvise splints for Adda.

Adda opened one eye. "Bugger off," he whispered to Muub.

The Administrator studied Adda, Dura thought, as one might consider a leech, or a damaged spider.

Muub withdrew from the car. "This man's seriously hurt. That right arm..."

"I know, sir," Toba said miserably. "That was why I thought..."

"Damn it, man," Muub said, not unkindly, "how do you expect them to be able to pay? They're upfluxers!"

Toba dropped his head. "Sir," he said, his voice wavering but dogged, "there is the Market. Both the woman and the boy are strong and fit. And they're used to hard work. I found them at the Crust, working in conditions no coolie would withstand." He fell silent, keeping his head averted from the others.

Muub brushed his soiled fingers against his robe and gazed vacantly into the car. At length he said mildly, "All right. Bring him in, Citizen Mixxax... Guard, help him. And bring the woman and the boy. Keep your eye on them, Mixxax; if they run wild, or foul the place, I'll hold you responsible."

Mixxax's misery seemed to lift a little. "Yes, sir. Thank you."

Another car sailed into the bay, evidently bringing in more patients for the Hospital; Muub Waved away, tired responsibility etched into his face.

7

TOBA GRUDGINGLY OFFERED to let Dura and Farr stay at his home in the City while Adda's injuries were treated at the Hospital. At first Dura refused, but Toba gave her a look of exasperation. "You haven't any choice," he said heavily. "Believe me. If you had, I'd tell you about it; I've got my own life to get back to, eventually... Look, you've nowhere to go, you've no money — not even any clothes."

"We don't need charity."